Doughty Chasing History as Canada Storms Into Olympic Gold Medal Game
History is now just one game away for Drew Doughty and the stakes could not be higher.
Team Canada has battled its way into the Olympic gold medal game after a dramatic comeback win over Finland and at the center of it all is Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. He did not fill the stat sheet in the semifinal and he was not the headline scorer, but his presence still mattered in a tense, physical matchup where every shift counted.
Canada found itself trailing 2-0 early, the first time in this tournament they faced real adversity. That forced adjustments. Coaches leaned more heavily on puck-moving defensemen as the Canadians pushed to erase the deficit. Doughty’s ice time was reduced and he finished with just over six minutes played. But this is what veteran leadership looks like. Sometimes it is not about highlight plays. It is about staying composed when momentum swings and trusting the system while others press forward.
In net, Darcy Kuemper once again watched as Jordan Binnington handled starting duties. Kuemper remains ready and his experience adds depth and security behind the scenes. For Canada, that depth has been critical throughout the tournament.
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On the other side, Joel Armia of Finland delivered a strong performance despite the loss. He picked up his fifth point in five games and helped create a shorthanded goal that briefly gave Finland control. Armia even voiced frustration afterward about a controversial goal that shifted momentum. But in the end, Canada scored three unanswered goals and sealed a 3-2 victory, sending Finland to the bronze medal game.
Now the focus turns to the final. For Doughty, this is more than just another championship opportunity. This will be his third Olympic gold medal game appearance. A win would make him the first NHL player ever to claim three Olympic gold medals. That is legacy territory. That is history.
And there is another layer here. NHL players have not competed in an Olympic gold medal game in over a decade. This final represents the return of the world’s best on the biggest international stage. Fans across continents will be watching.
There are also implications back home. The NHL season resumes just days after the gold medal game. Travel, fatigue, recovery, all of it will matter. The Kings and several other NHL clubs, will feel the ripple effects of this intense Olympic run.
But for now, everything centers on one final showdown. Gold on the line. Legacy on the line. History within reach.
Stay with us as we continue to follow the road to Olympic gold and what it means for the players, the NHL and the global hockey landscape.
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